• Brick & Mortar
• Summary
• Important Aspects
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Brick & Click
• Summary
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Click & Buy
• Summary
• Important Aspects
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

Brick & Mortar

Summary

Brick and mortar is a company that has an on-ground presence only. The company's main benefits are by providing in-person customer service. They spend time watching customers to meet the needs of each individual customer. This type of business often provides a more personalized experience for the customer that a brick and click or click and buy company may not be able to provide.

Important Aspects

1. Prices are usually higher than other types of businesses because they can afford to offer in person customer service, which is something brick and clicks or click and buys can't do.
2. In order to keep the prices up, their product inventory is limited because providing a limited range of products allows them to keep their costs down and thus they have higher profit margins.
3. Staff is usually more knowledgeable because it is easier to provide that in person attention.
4. The customer can physically handle the product or service before purchasing, testing its functionality and feeling the quality of the product or service first hand, something brick and clicks or click and buys cannot offer.
5. This type of store provides an overall better shopping experience, which can lead to increased sales for the business as a whole on top of the increased profits from higher prices in some cases
6. Brick and mortar companies often sell items at varying price points to appeal to different segments of customers, which allows them to attract a wider audience than brick and clicks or click buys

Advantages

1. The brick-and-mortar retailer has the advantage of being able to have a high level of control over how their products are displayed. This allows them to create product displays and show off fine detail and quality that might be more difficult in an online setting.
2. They can also have better pricing when it comes to inventory management as they don't need to worry about rates getting too low, as they can simply limit the amount of inventory on hand. Plus, the customer service experience will be enhanced with this type of retailer.

Disadvantages

1. The brick-and-mortar retailer has the disadvantages of not being able to provide a personalized experience for all customers, having to carry inventory and limiting their opportunities for growth. The brick-and-click retailer is more likely to have lower prices on their products as they are less expensive because they don't have the overhead that the brick-and-mortar retailers do.
2. They can also focus more on exclusively selling online items without being encumbered by physical limitations. However, with this type of retailer, customer service might not be as good as it might be offline due to not being able to help customers in person.

Brick & Click

Summary

One of the main differences between brick & click retailers (i.e., companies that have both a physical and an online presence) is that they are able to manage both their in-store and online inventory. This means that they can make more informed decisions about what items should be stocked at which locations, as well as what items should be ordered online. Brick & click retailers also tend to have a longer shopping window, or the time between when products are available for purchase and the time when customers are able to receive them at their homes.

This is because brick & click retailers can fulfill online orders from their in-store inventory. The longer shopping window gives brick & click retailers a decided advantage over those that are strictly classified as brick & mortar, or companies that do not have an online presence and depend more on selling merchandise through physical stores. Brick & click retail giants include Amazon, Apple and Best Buy.

Research indicates the "click" portion of the brick-and-mortar-versus-click-and-buy dichotomy may be fading away; it's really all about the "buy," with e-commerce continuing to grow rapidly. (See also: E-commerce Trends)

Advantages

1. Cost Conscious- A retailer who offers the convenience of both brick and click services can offer lower prices than competitors in order to remain competitive.
2. Increased Revenue- The B&C retailer has the opportunity to present more options to customers through its online store. With this type of service, they're able to afford higher priced items that might not be available in a traditional store setting. This is due in part because there are no rent or utilities costs for running an online store.
3. Reach Out Nationwide- With brick and click, retailers have the ability to reach out nationwide instead of just local customers. This is a huge advantage that was not possible in the past.
4. Expand Customer Base- The Brick & Click retailer industry is constantly seeking out ways to expand its customer base. Some of these tactics include offering online discounts and free shipping.

Disadvantages

1. Rent/Utilities Costs- A traditional store offers lower overhead costs because they don't need to pay for an office for employees or utilities such as water, gas, etc.
2. Less Convenient- With brick and click services, customers are required to take time out of their day, drive to a specific location and then wait on line if there's always a big crowd. In addition, if they need to exchange the product, it's just a hassle.
3. Less Personal Service- With Brick & Click retailers, customers will never meet with a salesperson face to face or receive assistance from customer service representatives. They'll have to rely on help provided by online forums where other consumers who've purchased the same products can offer advice and insight.

Click & Buy

Summary

Click & buy includes items that are available for purchase over the internet. The company operates in a decentralized structure and has no physical stores. Click & buy also follows a service-based model so it does not have a very high customer value yet.

Important Aspects

1. Products and Services. Click & Buy provides its customers with the products they are looking for through its website, which has a wide variety of items.
2. Sustainable Value to Customers. It is difficult for an online retailer to have sustainable value to customers; as consumers can easily browse websites and compare prices without feeling committed to any one store.
3. Value-Creators: Employees. The company's employees offer email support, chat support, live chat support and phone support in order to make the shopping experience more personalized and satisfying for customers on the Click & Buy website.

Advantages

1. Operating costs are lower
2. Customers still have to go to the store to buy your products because they don't have credit cards or bank accounts
3. It's easier for consumers to find out what is on sale throughout the year
4. It's cheaper and safe for the customer as it will be easier for them to pay online.

Disadvantages

1. It is not as convenient for customers who live far away and can't afford to travel to the store
2. Customers are easily distracted by advertisements from competitors when they are looking at your website
3. There is a higher chance that you will be forgotten by customers because you don't have a permanent location.